A Pattern Of Rain ... and Itching to Garden

some backyard visitors in March

Yesterday I was able to walk around our property checking for signs of spring.  Rhubarb, French sorrel, oregano and thyme are bouncing back.  Raspberry canes show budding leaves.  Fruit trees are waiting patiently for their turn to wake up.  We are completely snow free .. even the snow piles from clearing the driveway have melted.   Now the work begins getting the yard back in shape, adding additional soil to the raised beds, raking the lawn and clearing out the footpaths in the garden .. refreshing the bark.  To do this work, we will need a few days of sunshine .. and that's not happening anytime soon.

I have grapevines to plant.  Again .. wait and hope for sunny weather.

It is amazing to watch plant life unfold after being dormant all winter.  Perennials look stick dead until you peek near the soil and see life clinging near the roots.  There is much trimming to do in the next few weeks to remove the dead tops of these plants.

Our little indoor greenhouse is brimming with overwintered plants, geranium starts, seed trays, grow lights and a heating mat.  I chose the seeds to have a mix of paste tomatoes for sauces and heirlooms for slicing.  One of our 4 x 8 ft. raised beds held 32 plants last year producing 140+ pounds of  tomatoes.  We grew them using the square foot garden planting system .. training them to grow UP .. anchoring them to tall trellises.  These raised beds have thawed enough to plant peas and early spring seeds.

It looks like we're in for more rainy weather in the Inland Northwest

This will be our seventh year of having a veggie garden and there is SO MUCH more to learn.  What's going on in your yard?

While Waiting To Plant Garden Seeds .... Projecting Into The Year

.... I'm dreaming of summer, vacation, sitting on the back patio on outdoor furniture, bon fires, front porch rocking chairs, cricket serenades, kayaking, ripe raspberries, brushing up against tomato plants with their intoxicating fragrance.

The Mr. and I are anxiously waiting to  make the last payment on our home .. March 1 ... and to kiss debt GOODBY.   The excitement is akin to graduating college without student loans .. I'm sure .. although I didn't graduate from college.  After 31 years of marriage .. it's about time to be done with house payments.  Our plan is to bring sparkling cider to the bank with champagne glasses for a toast .. and to have Wells Fargo Bank hitch up their stage coach and head into the sunset.

We're looking into a family retreat type of vacation here for mid summer, just an hours drive from home.  Hint, hint to any family members that might read this post .. just let us know if you're interested.

The new/old home is much quieter of late ... with the passing of our beloved dawg last November, my grandson spending his days with his mama, and Nathan being so independent and not needing me every other minute.

It's good to be on the back side of menopause.  No more aches or sleepless nights ..and seldom a hot flash.  Life is good.  Carpe Diem!
 

2012 Goals

After looking over my 2011 goals it appears we did well with the majors and failed in the minors.  Majors being paying down on debt, setting up a fenced raised bed garden.  Minors .. knitting socks, etc.

We plan on sticking with the budget again as it has become second nature .. and will allow us to, hopefully, be totally debt free by October.

Garden goals - set up a better compost station for the garden, planting ONLY those veggies that we like to eat and preserve.  Can more peaches.  Plant more sauce tomatoes and less for slicing.  Trim vegetation around the garden, hook up pvc line to garden sink.  Plant a winter garden (this is perhaps a dream).  Propagate geraniums and house plants to give as gifts.

Food storage - more wheat and dried goods.

Outings - Ride the Hiawatha bike trail, visit Glacier National Park (again), river raft trip.